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World

Russian households face increasing financial strain as war in Ukraine drags on

As Moscow continues to launch strikes across Ukraine, Russian citizens are facing increasing financial strain. Since the start of the war in 2022, utility bills in Russia have risen by more than 50% – over 13% this year alone. These rising costs come as the country grapples with ongoing drone attacks originating from Ukraine.

Ukraine war: Merz doubts Russia is serious about a truce

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin. Both leaders said the EU needs to be included in peace talks with Russia. Merz also expressed doubts that Russia is serious about seeking a truce.

A cultural stroll through Paris with actors François-Xavier Demaison and François Morel

This week, we bring you a special programme dedicated to theatre. Valérie Fayolle takes us to the Renaissance Theatre, where François-Xavier Demaison takes us behind the scenes of "Laponie". The fiesty comedy shows how a family's holiday gathering can quickly turn into a settling of scores. "Theatre is one of our last collective experiences. It's magnificent, we're in a bubble," he tells us.

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How Berlin's Arab queers are building their community

As the co-founder of the ADIRA Drag Festival, Lebanese performance artist, drag performer, DJ and cultural organizer Hassandra has become an essential part of Berlin's queer artistic landscape.

What's behind new India-China border tensions?

Indian authorities have confirmed a new border "face-off" between Indian and Chinese troops in Arunachal Pradesh, raising questions about the still fragile thaw in relations between New Delhi and Beijing.

2026 Prix Goncourt: France's prestigious literary prize awarded to Philippe Jaenada

France’s prestigious literary prize “The Goncourt” was awarded on Monday to writer Philippe Jaenada. The prize carries a symbolic reward of only 10 euros, but results in considerable recognition and book sales for the winning author. FRANCE 24’s Culture reporter Olivia Salazar-Winspear reports from the Parisian restaurant where the jury made the call.

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'I love giving debut novelists a chance': Shakespeare and Company's Adam Biles

The literary director of the English-language Paris bookshop Shakespeare and Company says that the shop has achieved such notoriety that invitations to authors to appear there are usually accepted. Adam Biles says the shop enjoys inviting both famous authors to speak there, as well as debut authors who deserve the exposure. Adam hosts the events himself, and over the years has interviewed hundreds of different literary figures of varying notoriety. Many of the shop's guests speak to us in Perspective before or after their appearances. We spoke to Adam in Perspective.